how to print wireless

Question

Hello, My goal is to be able to print wireless to my printer. I have a Brother networking laser printer with a ethernet connection and Inspiron B130 that has a wireless card. I use Verizon DSL with a Westell 327 router/modem that has 4 ethernet connections on it. How can I set my printer up so my notebook and my computer can print to it. My computer is actually physically hooked up to the router so that isn't wireless just my notebook is.   Thanks in advance for any information you can give me. Rich

volcano11 · Answer

It would be helpful to know what state your network is currently in. For example can you share files between the computers? If so, then File and Printer Sharing is already enabled. Not knowing which model Brother printer you have, makes it difficult to give details, but, I will assume that you configure the IP address on the printer and can configure it to have a static IP address in the range that your router would use. Once it has an IP address, you need to go to the Add Printer wizard on each computer, tell it that it is a network printer, and then create a port using the same IP address that is assigned to the printer. Of course the user manual that came with your printer should tell you exactly how to do this. Also make sure that any firewalls running on your computers are configured to allow local network access.

Steve

Ronnietkh · Answer

Hi It will work if both your computer and the laptop are wireless.  In your case, disconnect the LAN cable from your computer and the router leaving the 4 ethernet ports 'open' (unplug).  Instead, install a wireless adaptor, (internal or external) which is compatible to the Verizon DSL Westell 327 router/modem, on your computer.  Next, take the option 'Setup a wireless network for a home or small office' in Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections... Don't forget the 'Files and Printer Sharing' routine and 'Add a Printer' when you are in 'My Network Places'.   Another option is to connect a LAN cable from one of the 3 ethernet ports (open) to your laptop and take the option 'Setup or change your home or small office network' in Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections... Follow the same routine with the rest.   Have a niice day!   Ronnie

volcano11 · Answer

'It will work if both your computer and the laptop are wireless.'  This is total nonense, if the printer is attached to any computer on your network (wired or wireless) you can connect to the printer.  Steve

Ronnietkh · Answer

Hello Steve   If I have offended you, please accept my humble apologies.   > if the printer is attached to any computer on your network (wired or wireless) you can connect to the printer.   I agree but how does one connect the printer in a network?  It will work if the configuration of both PCs are the same, wired or wireless but not 'apple and pear'.  I have tested it before and it didn't work.  Perhaps, I'm wrong.  I'm just trying to relate my experience with no ill intention.   Have a great day!   Ronnie

volcano11 · Answer

No you haven't offended me at all. I'm just trying to prevent misinformation from getting into the minds of already inexperienced users. I run several networks that have a combination of computers connecting by wired and wireless with printers attached directly to computers and networked printers that have their own IP addresses. All printers on all of my networks can be accessed from a wired connection or wireless connection. That is how networking is supposed to work. The printer cannot tell if you are connecting to it by a wired connection through another computer, through a router, or through a wireless connection. Accept my apologies if I offended you by my brash response.

Steve

Ronnietkh · Answer

Hi Steve

Speaking from a past experience, my belief is that the above scenario will not work. Although both the desktop and the laptop can access the internet, they cannot communicate with each other, let alone, share files and printer unless the configuration is the same for both - wired or wireless but not when the desktop is wired and the laptop is wireless.

Peace!

Ronnie

volcano11 · Answer

Sorry, your past experience is flawed and you are absolutely wrong. If it didn't work, it was because your firewalls were not properly configured, or you had something setup wrong. As anyone that knows anything at all about networking and they will tell you that for file and printer sharing, it makes no difference if the computers are connecting by wired ethernet or wireless. The network works the same. A mixed wired and wireless network is common throughout the world. Sorry you could not get it to work.

Steve

Ronnietkh · Answer

Thanks for the feedback, Steve Ronnie

bigsistr · Answer

Transferred this message to a new thread. Message Edited by bigsistr on 03-09-2006 09:26 AM

Ronnietkh · Answer

Do what u think it's best. Let's close the the chapter and carry on with our lives. Ronnie

rich f · Answer

Thanks for your help... I started all over again and it this time it worked fine.

rich f · Answer

Thank You for your help...I just did everything over again and it worked fine.

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how to print wireless

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